ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has defended Jack Billings' form despite another quiet performance by the former top-three pick, confident the 22-year-old has "turned the corner".
Billings, who was drafted with the No.3 selection in 2013, picked up 18 disposals and slotted a goal in the Saints' 28-point loss to Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
The left-footer's shot at goal on his non-preferred boot that sailed out on the full despite being under little pressure very early in the final term, with his side trailing by 10 points, proved costly.
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A dropped mark in the second quarter when Billings had the sit was another poor moment, especially considering he was considered brilliant in the air prior to being drafted.
Perhaps only wayward goalkicking stopped Billings from making the Virgin Australia All Australian squad of 40 last year (he kicked 23.36) and while he has booted just six goals through 10 matches, Richardson stood by his player.
"You'd be able to watch (Richmond superstar) Dusty Martin's game and see that every now and again, he drops a mark and kicks one on the full," Richardson said.
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"I'm fine with that.
"I thought Jack turned the corner a bit for us today.
"He hasn't been in great form. He got a fair bit of the footy last week. He was able to kick a reasonably nice goal but overall, didn't play with the sort of presence that Billings plays with and brings to our team. For big parts of the game today, against quality opposition, I thought he was able to do that."
The work Billings did without the football impressed Richardson.
"His contest in the air and at ground level, his ability to be able to get after the opposition and put on pressure. The pressure side of his game, given the offensive form hasn't been there, has actually been pretty solid for us this year," Richardson said.
Key forward Paddy McCartin returned after missing a fortnight with concussion and collected 11 disposals and six marks.
"I thought Paddy, early in the game, gave us some really good outlets for our backs to kick to," Richardson said.
"He's a really good decision-maker then on his own entry and I reckon we were able to get a couple of scores on the back of Paddy's plays.
"Some of his contests, there was one early, two v one, that we were able to score off.
"That's the role, at times, of a big forward. He missed a shot that if he had his time again, I reckon he'd make the most of. He certainly wasn't able to hit the scoreboard but in terms of general forward line play, I thought Paddy was reasonable."
St Kilda travel to Optus Stadium to face West Coast next Saturday night.
